Abstract: A system and method for remediating a body of water and collecting suspended and dissolved solids therefrom are provided. The system includes a water-impervious lining positionable in a depression in or adjacent a body of water. The lining and depression define a treatment vessel, which includes a treatment portion, an outlet portion for containing treated water, and an outflow weir between the treatment portion and the outlet portion. Water to be treated is transported from the water body to the treatment portion. An entrapment element is delivered and mixed into the transported water, the entrapment element for capturing suspended and dissolved solids in the transported water and effecting a separation between the captured solids and water cleansed therefrom. The captured solids can be removed from the treatment basin, and the cleansed water can move through a channel in the outflow weir into the outlet portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided having a decorative lighting arrangement wherein one or more LEDs are mounted within the interior of one or more sleeves, having the appearance of a shoelace, which are located in the toe portion of the shoe.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for removing a reticle from visualization in a displayed view in a binocular wherein the reticle is visible during direct scene view. The system includes a filter positioned between a display element and an eyepiece wherein a visual characteristic of the filter matches a corresponding characteristic of the reticle. These matching characteristics thereby render the reticle substantially “invisible” to the user. Exemplary filters can include a monochromatic filter and a polarizer.

Abstract: A cargo parachute release apparatus comprising an assembly plate and a hinged member that is hinged to the assembly plate with a hinge pin. Parachute riser attachment components are positioned between the assembly plate and hinged member when the hinged member is in the closed position. An electronic package assembly having a microprocessor having predetermined parameters is provided, and the electronic package assembly has horizontal and vertical accelerometers and a strain gage for collecting data and sending the data to the microprocessor for processing. When the incoming data matches the predetermined parameters that indicate impact has been made, the microprocessor sends a firing signal to an electro-explosive device to detonate which causes the hinged member to open and release the parachute. The cargo is not dragged along the ground, tipped over or otherwise damaged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a temporary door lock assembly. The assembly is formed from five major components: a rosette; a bolt; a barrel; a locking arm; and an inside plate. These components are lockingly interconnected without any fasteners or the use of any tools to form a door lock. The lock can be temporarily secured within the lock opening and barrel of a door frame during residential or commercial construction to thereby delay the need to install more complicated and expensive permanent locks.

Abstract: An article carrying apparatus in the form of a support that is used with a shopping cart to provide a horizontal support for safely carrying loads that are longer than the length of the cart. The support may be used with any conventional shopping cart having nestable or non-nestable baskets. The support is hingedly attached to a lower structural member of the cart basket. The support is movable between a first position in which it lays flat against the bottom wall of the cart basket, allowing the basket to be nested into an adjacent cart, and a second position in which it is substantially resting against the front wall of the basket.

Abstract: A device that when fitted to a motor vessel's existing propulsion gear improves the performance and reduces potential damage and wear of underwater propeller shaft bearings, commonly referred to as “cutlass bearings” that are used on boats, ships, etc. Designed with radially mounted impeller blades around the periphery of the propeller shaft, the device creates a forced flow of water by centrifugal pumping action, which creates suction along the shaft abaft the cutlass bearing, thereby increasing the flow of water through the cutlass bearing. The device also greatly diminishes the probability that fouling around a propeller shaft will severely restrict water flow through the cutlass bearing.

Abstract: A client device manages consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to multiple power consuming devices. Power flow to the power consuming devices is selectively enabled and disabled by one or more controllable devices controlled by the client device. The client device receives a power control message from a load management server. In one embodiment, the power control message indicates at least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced and an identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. Responsive to the power control message, the client device issues a power management command or instruction to one or more controllable devices under the client device's control. The power management command causes the controllable device(s) to disable a flow of electric power to at least one associated power consuming device.

Abstract: A method for peeling fruits and vegetables, particularly those having thin skins, such as tomatoes includes immersing the fruit or vegetable in a boiling solution comprising carbamide and one of carborane and hydrogen chloride to loosen a peel thereof. In a particular embodiment, the carborane comprises trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. The fruit or vegetable is removed from the solution after a predetermined time period. The fruit or vegetable is cooled, and the loosened peel is removed from the fruit or vegetable.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes a hydrophilic solution-channeling device having a delivery portion positionable adjacent a root system of a plant. The solution-channeling device has a lumen therethrough for channeling a solution from an inlet to the delivery portion. At least a portion of the delivery portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the solution therethrough when acted upon by at least one of a surfactant root exudate and negative root pressure generated by the plant roots, for example, when experiencing water stress and/or a need for nutrients. The system also includes a pressure regulating device for providing at least a minimum pressure value to permit fluid to flow through the lumen and at most a maximum pressure value above which fluid flows through the lumen even in the absence of surfactant root exudate or negative root pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes a microporous hydrophobic tubing coated with a hydrophilic polymer that has a delivery portion positionable adjacent a root system of a plant and a lumen for channeling an aqueous solution from an inlet to the delivery portion. The tubing along the delivery portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate generated by the roots due to water stress. A pressure regulating device is upstream of the tubing's inlet, and a reservoir adapted for holding the aqueous solution therein is situated in fluid communication with an upstream end of the pressure regulating device. Additional tubing can be provided for channeling a nutrient solution to the plant roots.

Abstract: A server manages consumption of power supplied by at least one electric utility to multiple power consuming devices. Power flow to the consuming devices is enabled and disabled by controllable devices controlled by one or more client devices. The server includes a command processor, event manager, database, and client device manager. The command processor receives commands from the utility and issues event messages responsive thereto. The event manager maintains a power management status for each client device and issues event instructions responsive to event messages. The database stores information relating to power consumed by the consuming devices. The client device manager selects from the database, responsive to receipt of a power reduction event instruction, at least one client device to which to issue a message indicating a power reduction amount and/or identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable power flow to associated consuming devices.

Abstract: A dryer sheet is provided comprising a liquid fabric treating composition having at least one active ingredient which is retained in liquid form within a substrate, preferably a sheet of non-woven material. The dryer sheet is introduced into a rotary clothes dryer with laundered, damp clothing where an effective amount of the active ingredient is transferred into the fabric of the articles of clothing during a drying cycle as a result of contact of the liquid fabric treating composition with water contained within the damp clothing.

Abstract: A device for hands-free self-examination is provided comprising a viewing component having a mirror which is attached to a compliant receptacle. The receptacle being configured to receive filler material thereby enabling the device to be positioned on an irregular surface such that it substantially conforms thereto and enabling the mirror to be manipulated to any orientation.

Abstract: A method for distributing a digital image of a customer includes receiving a request from a customer to a human representative (i.e., a “roving” photographer) for an image to be taken of the customer at a site. An image of the customer is captured by the “roving” photographer at the site in response to the received request. The image is transmitted to a remote processor. An electronic request is received from the customer to view the transmitted image, and the image is transmitted from the remote processor to the customer's communication device. If the customer decides to purchase the image, a transaction is finalized by receiving payment data from the customer, and the final image is provided to the customer. A commission is then paid to the photographer for the transaction. In another embodiment, the cost is at least partially subsidized by advertisement pushed to the customer's communication device.